The SEV Torch, like other deployed SCG vessels, will operate under abbreviated Sol Central Government Law. All crew, passengers, and visitors aboard the Torch are expected to know and follow these laws.

Contents

Due Process Procedures

A search warrant is a document listing all persons and areas to be searched with the signature of the authority authorizing the search.
An arrest warrant is a document listing the individual to be arrested and on what charges with the signature of the authority authorizing the arrest.

An approved warrant must be presented before an arrest or search.
Note that this changes depending on the alert status.

The persons authorized to approve a warrant are:

The CO, XO, CoS, the immediate superior of the individual being searched or arrested, or in the absence of any of those individuals, Brig Officer, or Forensic Officer, in that order.

In the event there are no Line Officers, Brig Officers, or Forensic Officers present, Masters at Arms may sign for charges, arrest warrants, and search warrants, with the caveat that when any individual in the chain of command arrives or becomes available, they clear the charges and warrants with them as soon as possible. Masters at Arms can only apply the minimum punishment for charges

Visitors do not have a superior officer, and should have charges approved by either the XO, or CoS.

In the event the individual accused of a crime is an Officer, Line or Staff, the charges must be approved and presented personally by the Commanding Officer.

If the Commanding Officer breaks SCG Law, charges must be presented by the Executive Officer, or next ranking Line Officer. If there is no ranking Line Officer, the duty falls to the SCG Representative, and then to Staff Officers. If there are no ranking Line Officers, Staff Officers, or SCG Representative, the CO cannot be removed from command unless there is lethal danger to the crew.

Exceptions to presenting a warrant are:

Should security witness a crime, then a warrant can be approved and presented after the arrest.

If waiting for a warrant would cause further hazard to the ship or personnel, then a warrant may be approved and presented after the arrest or search.

Warrants required for the previous two circumstances can be approved by the Chief of Security. However, they can still be overruled by the XO or CO.

Searches of public areas or of arrested individuals requires no extra warrant or authorization.

Charges and punishments can be appealed to the highest civil authority, in this case the SCGR.

Crime

Crimes are divided into Low Crimes and High Crimes. Low Crimes can be charged, investigated, and punished without trial by authorized representatives of the SCG, in this case, the CO, and through their authority, the XO, Line Officers, and Security. High Crimes committed by civilians not under the SCMJ must be heard and judged in an SCG Court. The maximum sentence for crimes committed outside of the SCMJ is permanent confinement in the Brig, until such time as the offender can be transferred to the Colonial Marshal Bureau.

Each crime has at least three sections: Minimum Punishment, Maximum Punishment, and Special Considerations.

Certain Sol Central Government crimes also fall under the Sol Gov Military Justice. Civilians that commit these crimes during a Red Alert or above can be tried for them under SCMJ Courts Martial, and be punished according to the finding of that court martial. Crimes for which civilians can be tried in a Field-Court Martial for will be italicized.

Sol Central Government personnel can be tried in a Court-Martial for committing any High Crime, as can any civilian contractors working with SCG personnel, military or otherwise.

Foreign nationals, with the exception of enemy prisoners of war, (EPWs) cannot be tried in a Field Court-Martial, and must be transferred to the Colonial Marshals. EPWs, meaning captured members of states that the SCG is at war with, can be tried in a Field Court-Martial.

Any punishments below the maximum punishment can be administered, unless otherwise stated, and punishments below the minimum punishment can also be applied, as long as the minimum punishment is also applied.

In the event of multiple crimes in the same vein, like an individual that has committed maiming and murder on the same victim, only the charge for the most severe crime should be applied.

When applying charges, ameliorating circumstances, like failure to fully carry out a crime, intent, and mental state of the perpetrator should be taken into account. If a crime is deemed necessary to have been committed, the punishment may be alleviated or lifted entirely.

All prisoners are entitled to receiving medical aid as soon as safely possible. Time spent in the infirmary should be included in their sentence. Prisoners who find themselves under a serious immediate threat must either be relocated to a safe area or temporarily released. This time should be included in their sentence.

Solicitation, Accessory, Attempts, and Conspiracy are to be treated and charged as if the perpetrator committed the associated crime, for example, an individual who is accessory to murder will be punished as if they are charged with murder.

Solicitation: Encouraging, bribing, requesting, or instructing someone to commit a crime, with the intent that the person being solicited commit the crime.

Accessory: Assisting in the commission of a crime, without participating in the crime itself, knowing that a crime will be, has been, or is being committed.

Attempts: Attempting to commit a crime, with the intent to carry out that crime.

Conspiracy: Planning to commit a crime, with the intent to eventually carry out that crime.

Punishment

Execution: Termination of life, without resleeving. Lace may be retained. Anyone who has been given a sentence of death may choose which option suits them if more than one option is possible. They may also choose to receive painkillers, anesthesia, and/or tranquilizers if not otherwise required.

Firing Squad: Must consist of a minimum of three carbines or rifles, firing simultaneously.

Lethal Injection: Must consist of three parts. First, the highest-strength painkiller available must be administered, followed by anesthesia, chemical or gaseous, then finally, life may be terminated with any appropriate chemical, as determined by ranking medical staff.

Airlocking: The airlock used must be filled with air and locked, and then have its exterior door forced open, without cycling, so that the subject is forced away from the vessel by air pressure.

Cyborgification: Integration with an MMI, and installation in a robotic body. Laws are mandatory for any cyborged criminals.

Marooning: To be left on a habitable (possessing a breathable atmosphere, and an available source of food and water), planet, habitat, or vessel. The individual marooned must be left with food, water, and survival gear. A pistol can be included if the individual is non-violent.

Confinement until transfer to Colonial Marshals: Either for the purposes of transferring an untried individual to the court system, or if tried and found guilty, imprisonment.

Extended Confinement: Confinement in the brig past the point of the next jump. (Functionally identical to CUT, mostly included for RP reasons)

Restriction: The restriction of an individual to certain areas aboard a vessel or facility. Typically sleeping quarters, the mess hall, and required medical facilities. (Revoking access, and being ICly kept out of entertainment areas) Aboard the Torch, this means that an individual on restriction is only permitted in public hallways, the mess hall, the infirmary for medical care, cryogenic storage, bunk rooms, and hydroponics.

Confinement: Being held in the brig, either in a cell, solitary, or in the communal area, for some temporary period of time.

High Crimes

Offense

Description

Minimum Punishment

Maximum Punishment

Notes

Murder

To kill a sapient being with malicious intent and premeditation.

Confinement until transfer.

Execution.

Premeditated and Malicious are the operative words here, this also applies whether or not the victim has a lace, and is resleeved.

Kidnapping/Hostage Taking/Illegal Confinement

To unlawfully take away, transport, or confine a sapient being against that individual’s will.

Confinement of at least 30 minutes.

Execution.

More severe punishment is appropriate depending on the motivation of the kidnapper. If an individual is held for ransom, the crime is considered Hostage Taking, and at a minimum should be confined until transfer. Notably, this includes the illegal confinement of an individual by security forces.

Sexual Assault

To attack someone sexually, including rape.

Confinement until transfer.

Execution.

ERP in any form is permabannable. Adminhelp this if it happens to you; it’s against server rules, not just the law. This law is mostly included to allow people to deal with it in the event it does occur.

Maiming

To inflict physical injury with the intent to disfigure, degrade appearance, or impair function.

Extended confinement.

Confinement until transfer.

Intent is important here, if an attack results in maiming, but the intent was not to maim, it is considered battery. This also includes mistreatment of bodies such as the taking of trophies, and security injuring prisoners to prevent escape.

Tampering With or Destruction of a Neural Lace

To intentionally damage, destroy, conceal, or dispose of a Neural Lace with an active backup and/or echo inside.

Confinement until transfer.

Execution.

Functionally murder if the lace isn’t blank. This applies whether or not the individual has been resleeved

Rioting

To engage in a violent public disturbance which involves damage to people or property.

Restriction

Confinement until transfer.

Separated from hooliganism by causing damage in a riot.

Tampering With, or Destruction of a Slaved Synthetic

To damage, deface, destroy, or modify the laws of a slaved synthetic without authorization. Applies to robotic, cybernetic, and positronic consciousnesses that have been lawed for the purpose of labor.

Restriction.

Execution.

Another crime that can vary in severity. Stealing a borg’s cell should be treated as less severe than uploading the Oxygen is Lethal to Humans law.

Damage or Destruction of Property

To maliciously damage or deface public or private property or equipment, including legal evidence or recorded information.

Restriction

Confinement until transfer.

This is a step down from destruction of a vessel or habitat, and a step up from vandalism. It applies more towards spacing a person’s PDA, maliciously breaking interior windows or furniture, or damaging machinery. Note that this requires malicious intent.

Destruction of a Vessel or Habitat/Terrorism

To engage in maliciously destructive actions which threaten to destroy, or successfully destroy a vessel or habitat.

Confinement until transfer.

Execution.

This includes arson, bombing, tampering with the engine, intentional decompression, sabotaging atmospherics, or tampering with the self-destruct.

Espionage

To obtain, transmit, deliver, or communicate confidential information relating to the affairs of the Sol Central Government, to any foreign government, non-government organization, or individual with the intent and/or knowledge that this information will be used to the detriment of the SCG or aid of any such organization of individual.

Confinement until transfer.

Execution.

If an individual is tried by Field Court-Martial and found guilty of Espionage, the only sentence available is execution.

Aiding the Enemy

To aid the enemy with arms, ammunition, supplies, money, or other resources; or to knowingly harbor, protect, or give intelligence to an enemy of the SCG.

Confinement until transfer.

Execution.

If an individual is tried by Field Court-Martial and found guilty of Aiding the Enemy, the only sentence available is execution. In this case, the enemy currently only applies to the Vox and any terrorist groups, this list will probably have to be expanded.

Resistance/Breach of Arrest/Escape

To intentionally and violently resist Masters at Arms, representatives of the SCG legal system, or other authorized personnel in the execution of an arrest; to violently flee arrest; to escape arrest, custody, or confinement.

Confinement until transfer.

Marooning.

Notably this only includes violently resisting arrest. Just because an accused person does not run to security with open arms does not mean they are resisting. Pushing or disarming does count. Execution can be sentenced by a Field Court-Martial only if marooning is not an option.

Impersonating an Official of the Sol Central Government

To intentionally and falsely impersonate a Colonial Marshal, Sol Central Government Official, or member of the SCG Defense Forces, with or without intent to make some form of gain from the impersonation.

Restriction.

Execution.

Minor cases, such as "stolen valor" attempts to impersonate a member of the Defense Forces for celebrity should he handled accordingly. However serious cases, such as impersonating a Marshal and attempting to make an arrest, or impersonating a Defense Intelligence Agent for the purpose of gaining access to intel should be punished to the fullest extent deemed necessary.

Low Crimes

Offense

Description

Minimum Punishment

Maximum Punishment

Notes

Verbal Assault

To threaten to use physical force against someone without the intent to kill or maim, while also having the capability and/or intent to carry out that threat.

Confinement for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Restriction.

Note that this doesn’t include “Irma kill u” over common radio, it requires intent and ability to carry out the threat of violence, like waving a knife at someone.

Battery

To use physical force against someone which results in injury to the attacked party.

Confinement for a minimum of 10 minutes, 30 minutes minimum for any injury that results in a trip to the infirmary.

Confinement until transfer.

The degree of injury should come into play a lot here. If someone just punched someone else, things should probably be handled outside of the brig.

Theft

To take the property of another individual, organization, or common property, without consent, and with the intent to deprive the rightful owner.

Confinement for a minimum of 5 minutes, 30 minutes minimum for dangerous, valuable, or sensitive items, and the confiscation and return of any stolen items.

Restriction.

Even if an individual had access to items, removing them for unlawful personal use, or hiding them so others can’t use them is still theft.

Endangerment

To recklessly put yourself or others in danger, either through direct action, or failure to act.

Confinement for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Confinement until transfer.

Covers industrial accidents, industrial negligence, or even medical malpractice. Punishment can vary widely based on severity.

Vandalism

To intentionally deface or superficially damage public or private property.

Confinement for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Restriction.

Note that this only requires intent, not necessarily the intent to sabotage or endanger people. Painting graffiti the mess hall is vandalism, breaking a window into space is not.

Trespassing

To enter an area which an individual does not have access to, whether by simple action, force, or coercion.

Confinement, for a minimum of 10 minutes, 30 minutes minimum for high security or secure areas.

Restriction.

Once again comes down to severity, breaking into the vault and refusing to leave should be punished more severely than following an engineering into the engineering lobby. Remember to make sure a trespasser was not invited in.

Animal Cruelty

To inflict unnecessary suffering or harm on a non-sapient being with malicious intent.

Confinement for a minimum of 10 minutes, psychiatric counseling.

Restriction.

This doesn’t include experimenting on monkeys, or killing chickens for meat, but stuffing a dog in disposals, or setting monkeys on fire for kicks definitely count.

Controlled Substances

To wrongfully use, possess, manufacture, or distribute any controlled substance.

Restriction and confiscation/destruction of controlled substances.

Confinement until transfer.

See the list of controlled substances in SOP. Note that this doesn’t include the vague “contraband” stuff from the old regs, we’ll need some discussion to populate the defined controlled substances list.

Sexual Harassment

To make unwanted sexual advances or obscene remarks to another individual.

Restriction.

Confinement until transfer.

This is for SUPER minor stuff, like sexually charged jokes or aggressively hitting on someone, anything else goes under sexual assault.

Confinement for a minimum of 10 minutes, or as long as it takes to sober up if drunk.

Restriction.

This is kind of a catch all for greytide randomness. Note that only aggressive drunkenness counts, drowning your sorrows in the bar quietly is only punishable by your liver and your employer.

Manslaughter

To kill a sapient being without intent, or in a manner less extreme than murder. Includes provoked manslaughter, manslaughter in self-defense, negligent manslaughter, and impassioned killing.

Confinement for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Execution.

Depending on the reasons for killing someone, the sentence for this crime can vary widely. If an engineer was killed in a phoron fire started by a researcher, that was an accident, and involuntary, and should probably get the minimum sentence. But a doctor who beats someone to death for smoking in the lobby of the infirmary should probably be confined until transfer.

Cruelty and Maltreatment

To maltreat, be cruel to, or oppress an individual as that individual’s superior, or someone with authority over that individual.

Confinement for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Confinement until transfer.

This largely applies to security and their treatment of people, either by using excessive force in detainment, improper punishment, or mistreating prisoners, but also applies to Officers using their position abusively, like demanding favors in exchange for promotion, or intimidating others to avoid punishment.

Evasion of Arrest

To non-violently resist, escape, or avoid arrest by a Master at Arms or otherwise authorized member of the SCG legal system.

Confinement for a minimum of 20 minutes and education on the SCMJ and SCG Law.

Confinement until transfer.

This includes hiding from security, refusing to report to the brig if properly presented with charges, or locking oneself in a workplace.

Treatment of Prisoners

Prisoners still have certain rights that must be upheld by representatives of the Sol Central Government.

Prisoners must be granted adequate medical care in all circumstances save that of execution, wherein revival by any means is prohibited. This includes psychiatric and spiritual counseling if requested.

Prisoners must be allowed access to communications equipment unless that equipment is being used to commit further crimes.

Prisoners must be granted clothing, food, water, shelter and safety. If the brig is no longer safe, confinement must be established in another location.

Prisoners must be given access to legal counsel, whether in the form of a government or corporate representative. If no legal counsel is available aboard the vessel, they have the right to send a fax to the appropriate authorities.

Prisoners must be granted freedom of movement, and should not be restrained with handcuffs or other devices after incarceration unless there is an undue risk to life and limb. Similarly, any prisoners held for extended or permanent confinement must be allowed access to the Brig, and must not be confined to a solitary cell unless they pose a risk to life and limb.

Prisoners being held for extended or permanent confinement until transfer to the Colonial Marshal Bureau must be given a brig jumpsuit.

Use of implanted or worn tracking devices is authorized at the discretion of the CoS only for prisoners with a high escape risk, or released prisoners on restriction.